Murphy, Yale University, from the College Football Stars series (N302) for Mayo's Cut Plug Tobacco 1894

Curator: Here we have "Murphy, Yale University, from the College Football Stars series (N302) for Mayo's Cut Plug Tobacco," dating back to 1894. This portrait comes from a series of athlete cards. Editor: There's a stoicism to this portrait; the tight-lipped expression is quite striking. He's young but there's something weary in his eyes, which stands in stark contrast to the innocence usually associated with sports. Curator: It is worth remembering the cultural context. The late 19th century witnessed the rise of mass media and advertising. These cards, distributed with tobacco products, became a popular way to promote brands while simultaneously celebrating sports figures. They show how commercial interests quickly capitalized on popular interests and personalities. Editor: And how that intersection immediately and purposefully constructed idealized masculinity. The Yale affiliation here cannot be overstated. It speaks to exclusivity, athleticism, and intellectualism being tied together in service to power. His neutral expression only works to emphasize the stoic, steadfast male image. Curator: The card format itself is also important. The rise of printed matter enabled the mass dissemination of images and ideas, furthering social stratification, but it simultaneously flattened celebrity, in that suddenly athletes had national faces, irrespective of locality. It created heroes beyond the neighborhood. Editor: Right, and in terms of technique, there's this interplay of photography and printmaking to consider. The softness inherent in the photographic image contrasts the sharpness of the printed text. It makes for an interesting viewing experience; you are meant to admire the individual but purchase the product, an easy association made all the more persuasive by the clear distinction between photo and text. Curator: Agreed. Looking at this "Murphy, Yale University" card prompts considerations about early sports advertising, the construction of masculinity, and the societal impact of emerging mass media. Editor: Indeed, and about the ongoing commodification of the athletic body in the late 19th century and today. We should recognize that seemingly innocuous items can reflect and reinforce pervasive ideologies.